CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK

11 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Neuroscience

Electrode Positioning and Montage in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Alexandre F. DaSilva¹, Magdalena Sarah Volz^2,3, Marom Bikson⁴, Felipe Fregni²

¹Headache & Orofacial Pain Effort (H.O.P.E.), Biologic & Material Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan , ²Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, ³Charité, University Medicine Berlin, ⁴Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an established technique to modulate cortical excitability^1,2. It has been used as an investigative tool in neuroscience due to its effects on cortical plasticity, easy operation, and safe profile. One area that tDCS has been showing encouraging results is pain alleviation ^3-5.

Biology

Isolation and Biophysical Study of Fruit Cuticles

Subhasish Chatterjee¹, Sayantani Sarkar¹, Julia Oktawiec¹, Zhantong Mao¹, Olivia Niitsoo², Ruth E. Stark¹

¹Department of Chemistry, City College of New York, City University of New York Graduate Center and Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies, ²Department of Chemical Engineering, City College of New York

Aerial plant organs are protected by the cuticle, a supramolecular biopolyester-wax assembly. We present protocols to monitor selective removal of epi- and intracuticular waxes from tomato fruit cuticles on molecular and micro scales by solid-state NMR and atomic force microscopy, respectively, and to assess the cross-linking capacity of engineered cuticular biopolyesters.

Medicine

Technique and Considerations in the Use of 4x1 Ring High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS)

Mauricio F. Villamar^1,2, Magdalena Sarah Volz^1,3, Marom Bikson⁴, Abhishek Datta^1,4, Alexandre F. DaSilva^*5, Felipe Fregni^*1

¹Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, ²School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, ³Charité University Medicine Berlin, ⁴The City College of The City University of New York, ⁵Headache & Orofacial Pain Effort (H.O.P.E.), Biologic & Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan

High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS), with its 4x1-ring montage, is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that combines both the neuromodulatory effects of conventional tDCS with increased focality. This article provides a systematic demonstration of the use of 4x1 HD-tDCS, and the considerations needed for safe and effective stimulation.

Biology

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro

Joseph Jablonski¹, Mark Clementz¹, Kevin Ryan², Susana T. Valente¹

¹Department of Infectious Diseases, The Scripps Research Institute, ²Department of Chemistry, City College of New York

RNA polymerase II synthesizes a precursor RNA that extends beyond the 3' end of the mature mRNA. The end of the mature RNA is generated cotranscriptionally, at a site dictated by RNA sequences, via the endonuclease activity of the cleavage complex. Here, we detail the method to study cleavage reactions in vitro.

Medicine

A Protocol for the Use of Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Margaret Kasschau^1,2, Kathleen Sherman^1,2, Lamia Haider², Ariana Frontario^1,2, Michael Shaw^1,2, Abhishek Datta³, Marom Bikson⁴, Leigh Charvet^1,2

¹Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, ²Department of Neurology, Stony Brook Medicine, ³Soterix Medical, Inc, ⁴Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York

The goal of this pilot study is to describe a protocol for the remotely-supervised delivery of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) so that the procedure maintains standards of in-clinic practice, including safety, reproducibility, and tolerability. The feasibility of this protocol was tested in participants with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Neuroscience

Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Update on Safety and Tolerability

Michael T. Shaw¹, Margaret Kasschau², Bryan Dobbs¹, Natalie Pawlak¹, William Pau¹, Kathleen Sherman¹, Marom Bikson³, Abhishek Datta⁴, Leigh E. Charvet¹

¹New York University, Langone Medical Center, ²Stony Brook Medicine, ³City College of New York, ⁴Soterix Medical

This manuscript provides an updated remote supervision protocol that enables participation in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) clinical trials while receiving treatment sessions from home. The protocol has been successfully piloted in both patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

Neuroscience

Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS): Technique, Targeting, and Considerations

Bashar W. Badran^*1,2,3, Alfred B. Yu^*2, Devin Adair¹, Georgia Mappin³, William H. DeVries³, Dorothea D. Jenkins⁴, Mark S. George^3,5,6, Marom Bikson¹

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, ²U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, ³Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, ⁴Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, ⁵Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, ⁶Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

A methodological description of the technique, potential targets, and proper administration of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on the human ear is described.

Medicine

Updated Technique for Reliable, Easy, and Tolerated Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Including Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Helen Borges¹, Alexandra Dufau^1,2, Bhaskar Paneri¹, Adam J. Woods³, Helena Knotkova^4,5, Marom Bikson¹

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, CUNY, ²Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, ³McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, ⁴MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care, ⁵Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

When administering transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), reproducible electrode preparation and placement are vital for a tolerated and effective session. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate updated modern setup procedures for the administration of tDCS and related transcranial electrical stimulation techniques, such as transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).

Behavior

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers

Sang Hoon Lee^*1, Jooyeon Jamie Im^*2, Jin Kyoung Oh², Eun Kyoung Choi², Sujung Yoon³, Marom Bikson⁴, In-Uk Song⁵, Hyeonseok Jeong², Yong-An Chung²

¹Department of Radiology, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, ²Department of Radiology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, ³Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, ⁴Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, ⁵Department of Neurology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea

We present a protocol and a feasibility study for applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and neuroimaging assessment in online gamers.

Neuroscience

Measuring Contralateral Silent Period Induced by Single-Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Investigate M1 Corticospinal Inhibition

Ingrid Rebello-Sanchez¹, Joao Parente¹, Kevin Pacheco-Barrios^1,2, Anna Marduy¹, Danielle Carolina Pimenta¹, Daniel Lima¹, Eric Slawka¹, Alejandra Cardenas-Rojas¹, Gleysson Rodrigues Rosa¹, Kamran Nazim³, Abhishek Datta^3,4, Felipe Fregni¹

¹Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, ²Universidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencia en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, ³Research and Development, Soterix Medical, ⁴City College of New York

Contralateral silent period (cSP) assessment is a promising biomarker to index cortical excitability and treatment response. We demonstrate a protocol to assess cSP intended for studying M1 corticospinal inhibition of upper and lower limbs.

Neuroscience

Using Home-based, Remotely Supervised, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Phantom Limb Pain

Kevin Pacheco-Barrios^*1,2, Daniela Martinez-Magallanes^*1, Cristina Xicota Naqui^1,3, Marianna Daibes¹, Elly Pichardo¹, Alejandra Cardenas-Rojas¹, David Crandell⁴, Anahita Dua⁵, Abhishek Datta^6,7, Wolnei Caumo^8,9,10, Felipe Fregni¹

¹Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, ²Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, ³Nursing Department, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, ⁴Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, ⁵Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, ⁶Research and Development, Soterix Medical, ⁷City College of New York, ⁸Post-Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), ⁹Laboratory of Pain & Neuromodulation, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), ¹⁰Pain and Palliative Care Service, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)

The goal of this study is to describe a protocol for the home-based delivery of remotely supervised transcranial direct current stimulation (RS-tDCS) conserving the standard procedures of in-clinic practice, including safety, reproducibility, and tolerability. The participants included will be patients with phantom limb pain (PLP).